Alphabet Mechanical Toy, 1880

Containers:
Artifact Mss2011.531
Scope and content:

Late nineteenth century wooden and linen winding alphabet toy. Alphabet blocks printed in yellow and blue on a white linen strip; each block features a letter with a rhyming saying and an illustration. 'A IS A ALLIGATOR AS YOU CAN PLAINLY SEE / B IS A BLACK BEAR CLIMBING UP A TREE / C IS A PUSSY CAT, SHE HAS CAUGHT A LITTLE MOUSE / D IS A DEERHOUND RUNNING PAST A HOUSE / E IS AN ELEPHANT. NOW WHAT IS ITS NAME? / F IS POOR FANNIE CAUGHT IN THE RAIN / G IS A GRIP CAR VERY NICE TO RIDE IN / H IS A HAT BOX, BIG ENOUGH TO HIDE IN / I IS AN ICE WAGON FULL OF CLEAR ICE / J IS OUR JIMMY. OH! DON'T HE LOOK NICE / K IS A KITE HIGH IN THE AIR / L IS A LADY COMBING HER HAIR / M IS A MOTTO FOR YOU GIRLS & BOYS / N IS ST. NICHOLAS WITH A BAG FULL OF TOYS / O IS AN OX CART FILLED WITH NEW HAY / P IS A PIGGY RUNNING AWAY / Q IS A QUINCE DID YOU EVER TASTE ONE / R IS A RACE HORSE SEE HOW HE RUNS / S STANDS FOR SOLDIERS OFF TO THE WAR / T IS MISS TILLIE TAKING A CAR / U IS THE UNCLE WHO BRINGS YOU MUCH JOY / V IS THE VELOCIPEDE THE PRIDE OF THE BOY / W IS A WATERMELON DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE IT / X IS A HARD ONE I GUESS I WILL PASS IT / Y IS A YACHT OUT ON THE SEA / Z [not legible].' Illustrations include an alligator chasing a caricatured African American man, St. Nicholas on a rooftop, and streetcars. Linen strip winds in and out of a wooden barrel with a cherry finish and darker ornamental ridges on the ends. A metal angled handle on one end operates the winding mechanism inside the barrel. Tape measures approximately 2 in. (width) x 52 in (length). Barrel is 3 in. (length) x 2 in. (diameter) (excluding metal handle). Condition is fair with regular fraying of the alphabet tape edges. Letters A and B are ripped and missing segments of fabric. A splice between letters M and N came apart and was crudely stitched together. Various letters have fading and dark spotting. Letters Y and Z are in poor condition with deterioration from contact with the wooden barrel; letter Z will not fully leave the barrel when unwinding. Wooden barrel has several chips/indentations and scuff marks on smooth part and circular ridges. Metal handle is in good condition with minor dark spotting. Swem SCRC Purchase. Located in Rec Obj S3. Mss 2011.531

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.